The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-17
THE FORTY-NINTH CONGRESS.
Routine Business in the House-The Alleged
Bribery by the Pacific Railways.


Bribery by the Pacific Railways.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 15.-In the morning hour
the House proceeded to consideration of the
joint resolution authorizing an investigation OF
the books, accounts and methods of the Pacific
railroads which have received aid from the
United States.
Mr.. Crisp, of Georgia, presented the confer
ence report the interstate commerce bill,
stating that he did not do SO for the purpose of
asking for action upon it at this time but in or
der that it might be printed in the Record and
in bill form. This was ordered and Mr.. Crisp
gave notice that he would call up the report at
an early day.
mittee on ways and means. reported bill for
the consolidation of customs districts. Placed
on the House calendar.
Mr.. Hudd of Wisconsin, from the committee
on commerce, reported bill for the collection
of more accurate statistics of exports, emigra-
ton and immigration. Referred to the COM
mittee of the whole.
Mr.. Morrow, of California, from the same
committee, reported bill to extend the juris-
diction of the lighthouse board TO the Sacra-
mento and San Joaquin rivers. Placed on the
House calendar.
Mr.. Scott. of Pennsylvania, from the COM
ported back the Senate bill for the retirement
and recoinage of the trade dollar. Referred to
the committee OF the whole.
The House then, in the morning hour, re-
sumed consideration of the resolution reported
by the committee mines and mining setting
apart Wednesday, Jan. 10, for consideration of
business reported from the committee.
After short discussion of the merits of the
McGarrahan relief bill, the resolution was,
motion of Mr.. Hammond, of Georgia. laid on
the table.
Mr. Richardson of Tennessee, on behalf of
the committee on Pacific railroads, called up the
Joint resolution authorizing an investigation of
tho books, accounts and methods of the Pacific
railroads which have received aid from the Unit
ed States, and the House proceeded, In commit
tee of the whole-Mr. Blount of Georgia. in the
chair-to consider the same.
Mr. Cultivate. of Ohio, hardly thought it
necessary to say any thing in favor of the resolu
ton. No information had ever been rendered to
CONGRESS-. in official form, by which it could
ascertain the value of the security which the
government had for the payment of it's loan to
the Pacific railroads In opposing the funding
bill. the gentleman from Indiana Mr.. Holmanl
had stated that at the end of ten years there
would be surplus of $144 600 900 Of assets of
the companies over their Indebtedness to the
government, but he asserted that an examina
ton of the assets would show not a dollar Of
surplus.
Mr. Crisp. Of Georgia, gave notice of an
amendment directing an inquiry as to the kind,
character and amount of the assets OF such Pa
cihc railroad companies as have received aid
from the government in bonds, and what assets
of each company are now subject to the lien of
the government.
Mr.. Anderson, of Kansas, gave notice of an
amendment directing an inquiry as to whether
any dividends have been unawfuly paid on the
capital stock of the Pacific companies, and
whether any new stock has been issued or any
guarantees or pledges made without any author
ity of law; also to inquire into the facts relating
20 the pretended consolidation of the Union Pa
cihc Railroad Company, the Kansas Pacific Rail
road Company and the Denver Pacific Railroad
Company into an alleged corporation known as
the Union Pacific Railway Company
The morning hour having expired, the COM
mittee rose without action.
Mr.. Hatch, of Missouri, moved that the House
60 into committee Of the whole on the pleuro-
pneumonia bill. Lost-Yeas. los; NAYS, 100.
Mr.. Norwood, of Georgia. rose to a question Of
privilege in regard to publication to-day g
New York World. in which the name of 7. NJ.
Norwood appears In connection with the &C
counts of the Central Pacific railroad. Last
night he had been waited upon by a representa-
tive OF that paper who asked him whether he had
ever represented a claim against the Central Pa
cific, or the Union Pacific Railroad Company, he
had forgotten which. He had replied in the
negative, and his statement had been published
Nothing had been said in regard to the South
| ern Pacific Railroad Company. He presumed he
| was the Norwood mentioned in the account.
| In 1873, year after his senatorial term had
| expired, he had been engaged by the Southern
| Pacific railroad counsel in a contest between
| that company and the Texas Pacific company,
| which ended two years subsequently. His serv-
| ices had been rendered publicly, and the items
| mentioned in the World he presumed to be the
+! fees that were paid from time to time upon his
| regular salary. This was his connection with
| the How these items appeared in the &C
| count of the Central Pacific company with the
| United States he did not know. He never had
| in any shape any connection with the Central
| Pacific or Union Pacific company.
| The Speaker announced the appointment of
| Messrs. Tucker, Collins and E. B. Taylor, oil
Ohio, conferees the anti-polyeamy bill.
The House then went into committee OF thu
whole-Mr Mcmillan. of Tennessee, in the
chair-on the river and harbor appropriation bill
Mr.. Hepburn, of Iowa, while favoring the
system OF water way improvements, opposed tn,
swapping off theory upon which the bill wal
formed, and criticised severely some of tn,
| features of the measure, especially that which
| provided for the Improvement of the Mississippi
in accordance with the plans of the commission
Mr.. Blanchard, of Louisiana. commended tn
work of the Mississippi River Commission, an,
strongly urged the continued improvement Of
the river in accordance with it's plans.
Pending further debate the committe rose
Mr. Turner, of Georgia, from the committee
on elections, submitted report on the conteste
election case of Page vs.. Pierce, from the Sec
ond congressional district of Rhode Island. Lai
over